Research Methods: Considering Ethics in your research

Your Ethics Committee

When designing a research project, it is important for colleagues who are not directly involved in the project to support you in considering the ethical implications associated with your research. If you are being supported in your research by a higher education institution, there will be a Research Ethics Committee consisting of members of staff who are experienced in carrying out ethical reviews of research proposals. In that case a standard procedure will be in place that will help you consider the ethical issues associated with your proposed research project and have plans in place for appropriate action to ensure that participants will not suffer any negative consequences as a result from involvement in your research project. However if you are not working with an institution where ethical procedures are already established, you should consider creating ethical guidelines and procedures within your setting to support you in ensuring the highest possible ethical standards are attained in your research. This MESHGuide is designed to help you to achieve this.